How is septic arthritis diagnosed?
The diagnosis of infectious arthritis depends on a combination of laboratory testing with careful history-taking and physical examination of the affected joint. Prompt diagnosis of infectious arthritis is necessary to prevent permanent damage to the joint. Blood and urine tests also may be done. The doctor may perform an arthrocentesis, which is a procedure that involves withdrawing a sample of synovial fluid from the joint with a needle and syringe for testing. The doctor may also perform a culture of blood and urine to rule out other causes such as gout, acute rheumatic fever, rheumatoid arthritis, Lyme disease and other disorders that can cause a combination of joint pain and fever. In some cases, the doctor may consult a specialist in orthopedics or rheumatology to avoid misdiagnosis. Because septic arthritis can quickly destroy a joint unless treated, your doctor may also order x-rays to assess any joint damage.
